NASHUA, NH – Crystal Sorey, mother of Harmony Montgomery, on Monday appeared before a circuit court judge to have her daughter officially pronounced dead, the first necessary step before pursuing a wrongful death claim on behalf of her daughter’s estate.
Harmony’s father, Adam Montgomery, was found guilty of her murder on Feb. 22 in Hillsborough County Superior Court North.
A Petition for Administration of Estate of Person Presumed Dead was put before the court in a probate hearing on March 11. Sorey is working with legal counsel to pursue a wrongful death claim, but because Harmony’s body has yet to be found, Sorey must petition the court for the official death pronouncement.
Attorney Sheliah M. Kaufold made an offer on Sorey’s behalf.
Kaufold requested that the court take judicial notice of the fact that Adam Montgomery was convicted of murdering Harmony, and confessed to a lesser charge of purposefully and unlawfully removing, concealing and destroying her corpse, for which he was also convicted.
Further evidence is that key witness Kayla Montgomery – ex-wife of Adam Montgomery – testified to handling Harmony’s dead body and that no one has seen Harmony since December 2019 when it is believed Adam murdered her.
“These acknowledgments by the two people who were last known to have physical custody and care of [Harmony] should serve as sufficient evidence for the court to accept the presumption that she is, in fact, dead,” Kaufold said.
Kaufold said that Sorey is in the best position to manage and protect Harmony’s estate as her mother, next of kin and beneficiary.
A final order was not made. Judge Beth H Kissinger requires the presentation of documents – including an authenticated copy of the jury verdict in the murder trial – before a final order is made.
A transport order was made for Adam Montgomery, who refused to attend the hearing.